In the next few decades, however, the retirement roads will grow more congested. In Virginia, seniors are already a formidable group. Between 1980 and 1990, the state’s overall population increased 16 percent. The number of people over 60 increased 25 percent, and the number of those over 75 increased 41 percent. By 2010, about 13 percent of the state’s residents are expected to be older than 85. As recently as the 1950s, that number was below 5 percent.

There is no one road map that the senior crowd will follow. When it comes to retirement, no options come standard. But there are checkpoints along the way that can help smooth the ride.

PACK WELL 

Worrying about money is no fun, which is why solid financial planning is crucial. Alex Paoletto, a certified financial planner with Investment Associates Ltd. in Richmond, has been holding adult education seminars on retirement for five years. "Obviously, it’s never too early to start," he says. Here’s what he tells clients:

- No matter what your age, participate to the maximum in your company retirement plan.

- About 10 years before you want to retire, start looking at the numbers more closely. How much income will investments generate? In determining the potential growth of investments, underestimate.

- How much money do you spend each year? Subtract the amount you won’t need when you’re retired — mortgage, for instance, if your house will be paid off. In projecting expenses, overestimate.

- If projected income falls short of projected expenses, it’s time to do some maneuvering: Save more during your remaining working years, take on more risk to increase yield on investments, or pare down expenses.

No single tactic works for everyone, Paoletto says. "You should revisit the larger plan annually, but examine performance and savings patterns quarterly so you can make minor adjustments when needed. If you’re consistent, you shouldn’t have any surprises."

Patricia Garman, a certified financial planner with Capital Planning and Investments in Fairfax, tells her clients to change their investment mix about eight years before retirement. "A bull market doesn’t go on forever, and they certainly don’t want to have to sell in a down market," she says. "But that doesn’t mean that a retirement portfolio is all income-producing investments."

In fact, Northern Virginians’ homes often represent a good chunk of retirement funding. "Northern Virginia is not conducive to retirement. It’s too expensive and too citified for most retirees’ liking," she says. Many who work in metro D.C. find retirement havens elsewhere.

PLAN FOR DETOURS 

The retirement road can sometimes be rocky, and it’s best to be ready for any eventuality. Karen A. Roberto, professor and director of the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech, knows retirement can pack an emotional punch because it forces people to consider the end of the road.

She wishes that more people would designate a health care power of attorney early — when they’re in good physical shape. A living will, which comes into play when an individual can’t make reasoned decisions, is only viable when an illness is terminal. A health care power of attorney would apply in other situations, such as diminished mental or physical capacity that might require the need to consider a nursing home or other assisted living.

"People sometimes say to a son or daughter, ‘I put you down [for power of attorney],’ but then don’t want to talk about it further. The person has to understand the [parent’s] values and what’s important to them so they have an idea of what to do in a crisis," she says. She encourages people to talk with their designated health care power of attorney about what’s important to them, whether it’s remaining close to family, maintaining independence, or staying with a spouse.

It’s one of the hardest parts of aging, she says. "You have to accept the emotionality of this process. It’s difficult, but in the end you can feel good about how your care went. ... The designated decision-maker will certainly have feelings of grief, but will also know they carried out the wishes of a loved one," Roberto says.

PICK YOUR OWN ROAD

The best thing about retiring is that the doors are wide open. No more deadlines, no more reports, no more meetings. The children are grown and gone, even if their clutter still fills the basement. You only have to answer to yourself.

"The basic thrust of human development is that we grow less alike as we grow older," Ansello says. Older people are less affected by popular culture and there is "more emergence of your self and less peer influence," Ansello says. In other words, retirees blaze their own trails.

That may be one reason why Virginia is a popular retirement destination: There’s plenty of variety and lots to do here. Bill Peterson, deputy commissioner for programs with the Virginia Department for the Aging, says his agency is fielding more phone calls from people considering the state for retirement. Small wonder, he says. "We’ve got the mountains, the shore, lots of college communities, cultural history and proximity to major cities. We have four seasons and negotiable winters. All those factors combine to make this an interesting place for retirement."

And the range of retirement ages is wide open, especially with Virginia’s sizable population of military employees. Many of them face "first retirements" at an early age.

TAKE A TEST DRIVE 

One way to make the transition to retirement easier is by "practicing" well before the event itself. "We get so wrapped up in our work lives and families, we don’t take time to develop skills and interests outside of work," Virginia Tech’s Roberto says. Take time now to try different activities and make different connections, so that retirement doesn’t find you with time on your hands and no idea of how to spend it, she suggests. That may mean working part-time, taking on a hobby or registering for classes at a local college.

Ansello focuses on internalization and introspection. "These are soft-sounding, but it’s hard work," he says. He encourages people to think about what in their work lives has given them pleasure. Is it the routine or the unexpected events that pop up each day? Is it the interaction with colleagues or the isolation?